Electrolytic device



June 18, 1935. R. c. SPRAGUE. ET AL ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE Original Filed April 22, 1932 Ii. c. SPQAGUE J F ["1 CAN N .INVENTORS BY 0W, va

ATTORN EYS Patented June 18, 1935 [UNITED STATES ELECTROLYTIC DEVICE Robert C. Sprague and John F. McCann, Williamstown, Mass., assignors to Sprague Specialties Company, North Adams, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Original application April 22, 1932, Serial No. 606,943, now Patent No. 1,997,185, dated April Divided and this application May 8,

1934, Serial No. 724,592. In Canada. September 2 Claims.

Our invention relates to electrolytic devices and more particularly to improvements in the construction of electrolytic condensers.

The present application is a division of our 5 application Ser. No. 606,943, filed April 22, 1932 now Patent No. 1,997,185, and relates to certain venting means described in said prior application.

One object of our invention is to provide a condenser in which the component parts are of simple and inexpensive mechanical construction, and are adapted to be easily and quickly assembled.

Another object is to provide a novel vent for the escape of the gases formed during the operation of said condensers.

In the appended drawing:

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a condenser embodying our invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of the capped end of the container.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one end of the condenser.

As shown in Fig. 1, the condenser comprises a cylindrical metallic container III, which preferably constitutes the cathode of the condenser and is provided at one end with a reduced neck or tubular extension I I. A seal provided in such tubular extension consists of a plug I2 of rubber or other resilient material, filling and extending slightly to the inside of and beyond the outer end of the tubular extension II.

The plug I2 is provided with a central bore I 2a through which protrudes an extension I5 of an anode assembly I6, said extension being secured in place by crimping the sides of the neck II diametrically opposite each other as at I3-I3, whereby the said plug thus forms a liquid and gas tight seal between the neck II and the plug I2, and also about the extension I5 of the anode assembly. This crimping of the neck I I about the plug I2 may be accomplished by spinning, squeezing, and other well-known means, and the word crimping in the claims should comprise such modification.

The container is almost completely filled with a suitable liquid electrolyte 21.

The other end of the container is provided with a circular cap 20 preferably of metal, the mid-portion of which forms a cup-shaped depression 2|, which fits inside of the container III at 22. A washer shaped piece of wax-impregnated cloth 25' is interposed between the inside of the container III and the cap 20 (Fig. 2). The free edge of the cap 20 with the cloth 25' interposed, is preferably spun over a rim provided on the container and which is perpendicular to its axis.

The minute pores or holes in the cloth 25 afford escape for the gas accumulated in the container during operation of the condenser, while the wax with which the cloth is effectively impregnated prevents leakage of the liquid elec trolyte.

The anode assembly I6 which is supported in the plug I2 by means of its extension I5, comprises a frame I! having an inverted U shape. The anode proper consists of aluminum foil I8 of relatively small thickness which is folded back and forth upon itself in the manner of accordion pleating, and riveted or otherwise secured to the legs of the U shaped member at I9-I9.

By this method of folding of the anode a considerable length of foil may be compactly placed in a small space, thus providing an anode of large capacity. At the same time a relatively thin aluminum foil of the order of thickness of only 2 to 3 thousandths of an inch, can be used as its eflicient support, and stiffening by the frame I'I makes it unnecessary to impart such rigidity to the aluminum foil as to make it self-support- To properly center the anode assembly there is provided on the upper end of the frame IT a properly perforated insulating washer 28 of mica or other suitable material which contacts with its edges with the container wall and thereby maintains the anode assembly in proper spaced relation to the latter. Instead of using for the spacing of the anode assembly a washer 28 as above described, the anode assembly may be encircled by suitable insulating bands 29-29, for instance, of rubber.v

Should it be found desirable to impart a greater degree of rigidity to the anode I8 than is afforded by the bands 29-29, a punched strip 55 of thin hard rubber or celluloid adapted to slip over the anode'l8 is used. The strip 55 is provided with two lugs 56-56 which lie along the edges of the frame I1, and a slot 51 which permits the strip to be placed over the anode assembly IS. The strip 55 is flexed to enter the container I 0, whereby the sides of the slot 51 support the foil I8 and keep its edges in alignment.

It should be noted that the extension I5 is preferably an integral portion of the frame I'I, thereby affording a very simple construction. Outside terminals can be easily attached to the extension I5. For instance, the extension may be provided with a hole I5a through which a wire may be conveniently threaded or a metal connecting strip may be riveted, or the extension itslt may term a threaded terminal to be provide with a nut.

In addition to the anode proper l8 being of aluminum or other film-forming metal, the frame I! and its integral extension I5 is also of such metal. The container [0 may be of filming or non-filming metal.

It should also be noted that the amount of electrolyte and the disposition of the anode is so selected that the whole effective anode is submerged in the electrolyte in both horizontal and vertical positions of the condenser, thereby the anode assembly is preferably so disposed that its lower and upper edges are equi-distantly disposed respectively from the bottom and the top of the container, and that sufficient space is left between the side edges of the assembly and the wall of the container.

The condenser of our construction is adapted to be mounted both vertically and horizontally, or in any intermediate position.

It should be noted that even in a horizontal position some portion of the cloth 2,5 (namely that portion which is uppermost and thus uncovered by the electrolyte) will permit escape 01 the gases formed in the container during operation of the condenser.

While we have described our invention on hand of specific construction and illustrated an elec-- trolytic condenser having a liquid electrolyte, it should be well understood that our invention is applicable in full or in part to other electrolytic condensers, as well as other electrolytic devices in general, and therefore the appended claims I should be construed as broadly as permissible in view or the prior art.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: 1. An electrolytic condenser comprising a metallic container open at one end, a, film-forming electrode in said container, and a liquid electrolyte in said container in which gases are developed during the operation of the condenser, a cap member for the closure of said open end of the condenser, and a finely meshed cloth washer impregnated with wax between said cap and said container, said washer permitting the escape of the gases, but being impermeable for the liquid electrolyte.

, 2. An electrolytic condenser comprising a cylindrical metallic container open at one end, and a metal member adapted to substantially close said open end, said container and said metal member forming a narrow gap between their opposing edges, and a finely meshed wax-impreg-- nated cloth Washer filling out said narrow gap, said washer permitting the escape of gases, but being impermeable for the liquid electrolyte.

R. C. SPRAGUE. J. F. McCANN. 

